Civic Groups Criticize Liberation Day Pardons: "Causing Social Controversy"

Cho Kuk, Chung Kyungsim, Choi Kangwook, and Others Included Among Those Pardoned

After the Lee Jaemyung administration announced the list of those to be granted special pardons for Liberation Day, civic groups voiced a series of criticisms.

The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) issued a statement on the 11th, saying, "The list of pardons includes individuals who have been at the center of major social controversies," and criticized, "Contrary to the stated goal of national unity, this move is likely to provoke further social controversy and public division."

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison by the Supreme Court on charges including 'children's school admission corruption' and 'cover-up of Blue House inspection,' is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

This round of pardons includes former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk, his wife and former Dongyang University professor Chung Kyungsim, former Democratic Party lawmakers Choi Kangwook and Yoon Meehyang, former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education superintendent Cho Heeyeon, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Kunyoung, former Blue House civil affairs secretary Baek Wonwoo, and former Minister of Environment Kim Eunkyung, among others.

The CCEJ added, "While the right to grant pardons is the exclusive authority of the president, institutional measures are needed to ensure that pardons are granted based on principles and due process, rather than political considerations."

The conservative-leaning Citizens' Committee for People's Livelihood Issues stated, "The government must clarify which religious or civic groups supported the pardons of politicians and whether their opinions were considered," and pointed out, "This round of pardons is a highly inappropriate act that disregards the concerns of the public."

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) issued a statement calling for the withdrawal of pardons for former Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Choi Jisung and former Samsung Electronics President Jang Choongki, labeling them as 'key culprits in state affairs manipulation and embezzlement of public funds.'

The PSPD stated, "Is pardoning criminals who participated in the illegal succession of management rights by conglomerate owners and caused nationwide harm what the Lee Jaemyung administration calls national unity?" and added, "What the government should do is not grant special pardons, but rather pursue compensation claims and lawsuits for damages to recover losses suffered by the public due to the embezzlement of public funds."